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Zhou YB, Rezaei-Matehkolaei A, Meijer M, Kraak B, Gerrits van den Ende B, Hagen F, Afzalzadeh S, Kiasat N, Takesh A, Hoseinnejad A, Houbraken J. Aspergillus hubkae, a Novel Species Isolated from a Patient with Probable Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis. Mycopathologia 2024; 189:44. [PMID: 38734862 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-024-00848-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
A 50-year-old man, previously diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cavities, presented with symptoms including fever, shortness of breath, and cough. A pulmonary CT scan revealed multiple cavities, consolidation and tree-in-bud in the upper lungs. Further investigation through direct examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed septate hyphae with dichotomous acute branching. Subsequent isolation and morphological analysis identified the fungus as belonging to Aspergillus section Nigri. The patient was diagnosed with probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and successfully treated with a three-month oral voriconazole therapy. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial β-tubulin, calmodulin and RNA polymerase second largest subunit sequences revealed that the isolate represents a putative new species related to Aspergillus brasiliensis, and is named Aspergillus hubkae here. Antifungal susceptibility testing demonstrated that the isolate is resistant to itraconazole but susceptible to voriconazole. This phenotypic and genetic characterization of A. hubkae, along with the associated case report, will serve as a valuable resource for future diagnoses of infections caused by this species. It will also contribute to more precise and effective patient management strategies in similar clinical scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Bin Zhou
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Key Discipline of Pediatrics, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ali Rezaei-Matehkolaei
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Martin Meijer
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Kraak
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ferry Hagen
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sara Afzalzadeh
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Razi Teaching Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Neda Kiasat
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ameneh Takesh
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Akbar Hoseinnejad
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Jos Houbraken
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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2
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Marcelão CVP, Souza MC, Silva JJ, Couto FA, Lacorte GA, Pinto UM, Maffei JT, Zacarchenco PB, Iamanaka BT, Taniwaki MH. Unveiling ochratoxin A and ochratoxigenic fungi in Brazilian artisanal Cheeses: Insights from production to consumption. Food Res Int 2024; 183:114214. [PMID: 38760141 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxin produced by several Aspergillus species, mainly those belonging to section Circumdati and section Nigri. The presence of OTA in cheese has been reported recently in cave cheese in Italy. As artisanal cheese production in Brazil has increased, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of ochratoxin A and related fungi in artisanal cheese consumed in Brazil. A total of 130 samples of artisanal cheeses with natural moldy rind at different periods of maturation were collected. Of this total, 79 samples were collected from 6 producers from Canastra region in the state of Minas Gerais, since this is the largest artisanal cheese producer region; 13 samples from one producer in the Amparo region in the state of São Paulo and 36 samples from markets located in these 2 states. Aspergillus section Circumdati occurred in samples of three producers and some samples from the markets. A. section Circumdati colony counts varied from 102 to 106 CFU/g. Molecular analysis revealed Aspergillus westerdijkiae (67 %) as the most frequent species, followed by Aspergillus ostianus (22 %), and Aspergillus steynii (11 %). All of these isolates of A. section Circumdati were able to produce OTA in Yeast Extract Sucrose Agar (YESA) at 25 °C/7 days. OTA was found in 22 % of the artisanal cheese samples, ranging from 1.0 to above 1000 µg/kg, but only five samples had OTA higher than 1000 µg/kg. These findings emphasize the significance of ongoing monitoring and quality control in the artisanal cheese production process to minimize potential health risks linked to OTA contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Josué J Silva
- Institute of Food Technology, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Aparecida Couto
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Minas Gerais, Campus Bambuí, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Augusto Lacorte
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Minas Gerais, Campus Bambuí, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Uelinton M Pinto
- Food Research Center, Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
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3
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Bustamante MI, Elfar K, Kuzmenko J, Zaninovich T, Arreguin M, Carachure C, Zhuang G, Michailides TJ, Eskalen A. Reassessing the Etiology of Aspergillus Vine Canker and Summer Bunch Rot of Table Grapes in California. PLANT DISEASE 2024; 108:941-950. [PMID: 37845185 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-06-23-1137-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Fungal taxonomy is in constant flux, and the advent of reliable DNA barcodes has enabled the enhancement of plant pathogen identification accuracy. In California, Aspergillus vine canker (AVC) and summer bunch rot (SBR) are economically important diseases that affect the wood and fruit of grapevines, respectively, and their causal agents are primarily species of black aspergilli (Aspergillus section Nigri). During the last decade, the taxonomy of this fungal group has been rearranged several times using morphological, physiological, and genetic analyses, which resulted in the incorporation of multiple cryptic species that are difficult to distinguish. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to reassess the etiology of AVC and SBR using a combination of morphological observations with phylogenetic reconstructions based on nucleotide sequences of the calmodulin (CaM) gene. Results revealed that the isolates causing AVC from recent isolations corresponded to A. tubingensis, whereas the isolates obtained from initial surveys when the disease was discovered were confirmed as A. niger and A. carbonarius. Similarly, the isolates obtained from table grapes with SBR symptoms and from spore traps placed in those vineyards were identified primarily as A. tubingensis, followed by A. niger and A. carbonarius. Notably, the A. niger isolates formed a subclade with strains previously known as A. welwitschiae, which is a species that was recently synonymized with A. niger. Overall, the most prevalent species was A. tubingensis, which was associated with both AVC and SBR, and representative isolates recovered from AVC-symptomatic wood, berries SBR symptoms, and spore traps were equally pathogenic in healthy wood and berries of 'Red Globe' grapevines. This study also constitutes the first report of A. tubingensis causing AVC and SBR of grapes in California and in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karina Elfar
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Janet Kuzmenko
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Thomas Zaninovich
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Molly Arreguin
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Carlos Carachure
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - George Zhuang
- University of California Cooperative Extension, Fresno, CA 93710
| | - Themis J Michailides
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
- Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier, CA 93648
| | - Akif Eskalen
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
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Visagie C, Yilmaz N, Kocsubé S, Frisvad J, Hubka V, Samson R, Houbraken J. A review of recently introduced Aspergillus, Penicillium, Talaromyces and other Eurotiales species. Stud Mycol 2024; 107:1-66. [PMID: 38600958 PMCID: PMC11003441 DOI: 10.3114/sim.2024.107.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The order Eurotiales is diverse and includes species that impact our daily lives in many ways. In the past, its taxonomy was difficult due to morphological similarities, which made accurate identification of species difficult. This situation improved and stabilised with recent taxonomic and nomenclatural revisions that modernised Aspergillus, Penicillium and Talaromyces. This was mainly due to the availability of curated accepted species lists and the publication of comprehensive DNA sequence reference datasets. This has also led to a sharp increase in the number of new species described each year with the accepted species lists in turn also needing regular updates. The focus of this study was to review the 160 species described between the last list of accepted species published in 2020 until 31 December 2022. To review these species, single-gene phylogenies were constructed and GCPSR (Genealogical Concordance Phylogenetic Species Recognition) was applied. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses were performed to further determine the relationships of the newly introduced species. As a result, we accepted 133 species (37 Aspergillus, two Paecilomyces, 59 Penicillium, two Rasamsonia, 32 Talaromyces and one Xerochrysium), synonymised 22, classified four as doubtful and created a new combination for Paraxerochrysium coryli, which is classified in Xerochrysium. This brings the number of accepted species to 453 for Aspergillus, 12 for Paecilomyces, 535 for Penicillium, 14 for Rasamsonia, 203 for Talaromyces and four for Xerochrysium. We accept the newly introduced section Tenues (in Talaromyces), and series Hainanici (in Aspergillus sect. Cavernicolarum) and Vascosobrinhoana (in Penicillium sect. Citrina). In addition, we validate the invalidly described species Aspergillus annui and A. saccharicola, and series Annuorum (in Aspergillus sect. Flavi), introduce a new combination for Dichlaena lentisci (type of the genus) and place it in a new section in Aspergillus subgenus Circumdati, provide an updated description for Rasamsonia oblata, and list excluded and recently synonymised species that were previously accepted. This study represents an important update of the accepted species lists in Eurotiales. Taxonomic novelties: New sections: Aspergillus section Dichlaena Visagie, Kocsubé & Houbraken. New series: Aspergillus series Annuorum J.J. Silva, B.T. Iamanaka, Frisvad. New species: Aspergillus annui J.J. Silva, M.H.P. Fungaro, Frisvad, M.H. Taniwaki & B.T. Iamanaka; Aspergillus saccharicola J.J. Silva, Frisvad, M.H.P. Fungaro, M.H. Taniwaki & B.T. Iamanaka. New combinations: Aspergillus lentisci (Durieu & Mont.) Visagie, Malloch, L. Kriegsteiner, Samson & Houbraken; Xerochrysium coryli (Crous & Decock) Visagie & Houbraken. Citation: Visagie CM, Yilmaz N, Kocsubé S, Frisvad JC, Hubka V, Samson RA, Houbraken J (2024). A review of recently introduced Aspergillus, Penicillium, Talaromyces and other Eurotiales species. Studies in Mycology 107: 1-66. doi: 10.3114/sim.2024.107.01.
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Affiliation(s)
- C.M. Visagie
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - N. Yilmaz
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - S. Kocsubé
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Pathomechanisms of Fungal Infections Research Group, University of Szeged, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - J.C. Frisvad
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Søltofts Plads, Building 221, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, DK-2800 Kgs, Denmark
| | - V. Hubka
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Fungal Genetics and Metabolism, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - R.A. Samson
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J. Houbraken
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Martins LM, Bragagnolo N, Calori MA, Iamanaka BT, Alves MC, da Silva JJ, de Godoy IJ, Taniwaki MH. Assessment of early harvest in the prevention of aflatoxins in peanuts during drought stress conditions. Int J Food Microbiol 2023; 405:110336. [PMID: 37541018 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of early harvest in preventing aflatoxins in peanuts under drought-stress conditions. A field experiment was conducted on the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 growing seasons in a greenhouse with an irrigation system to induce three drought stress conditions: no stress, mild, and severe stress. In addition, three harvest dates were proposed: two weeks earlier, one week earlier, and ideal harvest time. The mean peanut yield was 2634 kg/ha, considering the two growing seasons, and the drought stress conditions and harvest dates did not influence significantly. The shelling percentage was significantly higher in samples harvested at ideal harvest (77.7 %) than two weeks earlier (76.2 %) and was not influenced by drought stress conditions. Although a low mean percentage of grains with insect damage was identified, this percentage was statistically higher under severe stress (0.4 %) compared to no-stress conditions (0.2 %). The soil contamination ranged from 2.52 × 103 to 1.64 × 104 CFU/g of Aspergillus section Flavi, and the drought stress resulted in significantly higher concentrations in mild and severe stressed samples. A. section Flavi was found to infect all the peanut kernel samples. The drought stress resulted in higher percentages of A. section Flavi infections in samples from mild and severe stress conditions. The harvest date did not influence the soil and peanut kernel occurrence of A. section Flavi. A total of 435 and 796 strains of A. section Flavi were isolated from soil and peanut kernels, respectively. The potential of aflatoxin production by soil isolates was 31, 44, and 25 % for aflatoxin non-producers, aflatoxin B producers, and aflatoxin B and G producers, respectively, while in peanut kernel isolates were 44, 44, and 12 %. Three different A. section Flavi species were identified from peanut kernels: A. flavus, A. parasiticus, and A. pseudocaelatus. The mean aflatoxin concentration in peanut kernels was 42, 316, and 695.5 μg/kg in samples under no stress, mild stress, and severe stress conditions, respectively. Considering the harvest time, the mean aflatoxin concentration was 9.9, 334.3, and 614.2 μg/kg in samples harvested two weeks earlier, one week earlier, and in ideal harvest, respectively. In conclusion, the early harvest proved to be a viable, cost-free alternative for controlling aflatoxin in the peanut pre-harvest, resulting in a safer product and a better quality for sale and economic gain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ligia Manoel Martins
- Food Technology Institute - ITAL, Campinas, SP, Brazil; Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | - Neura Bragagnolo
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Antonia Calori
- Department of Agri-food Industry, Food and Nutrition, Laboratory of molecular biology and mycotoxins, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Corrêa Alves
- IT Technical Section, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Ignacio José de Godoy
- Center for Analysis and Technological Research of Grain and Fiber Agribusiness, Agronomic Institute of Campinas, Brazil
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Flipphi M, Márton A, Bíró V, Ág N, Sándor E, Fekete E, Karaffa L. Mutations in the Second Alternative Oxidase Gene: A New Approach to Group Aspergillus niger Strains. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9050570. [PMID: 37233281 DOI: 10.3390/jof9050570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative oxidase is a terminal oxidase in the branched mitochondrial electron transport chain of most fungi including Aspergillus niger (subgenus Circumdati, section Nigri). A second, paralogous aox gene (aoxB) is extant in some A. niger isolates but also present in two divergent species of the subgenus Nidulantes-A. calidoustus and A. implicatus-as well as in Penicillium swiecickii. Black aspergilli are cosmopolitan opportunistic fungi that can cause diverse mycoses and acute aspergillosis in immunocompromised individuals. Amongst the approximately 75 genome-sequenced A. niger strains, aoxB features considerable sequence variation. Five mutations were identified that rationally affect transcription or function or terminally modify the gene product. One mutant allele that occurs in CBS 513.88 and A. niger neotype strain CBS 554.65 involves a chromosomal deletion that removes exon 1 and intron 1 from aoxB. Another aoxB allele results from retrotransposon integration. Three other alleles result from point mutations: a missense mutation of the start codon, a frameshift, and a nonsense mutation. A. niger strain ATCC 1015 has a full-length aoxB gene. The A. niger sensu stricto complex can thus be subdivided into six taxa according to extant aoxB allele, which may facilitate rapid and accurate identification of individual species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Flipphi
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Alexandra Márton
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Juhász-Nagy Pál Doctoral School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Vivien Bíró
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Juhász-Nagy Pál Doctoral School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Norbert Ág
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Erzsébet Sándor
- Institute of Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Science and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Erzsébet Fekete
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Levente Karaffa
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
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7
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Silva JJ, Fungaro MHP, Wang X, Larsen TO, Frisvad JC, Taniwaki MH, Iamanaka BT. Deep Genotypic Species Delimitation of Aspergillus Section Flavi Isolated from Brazilian Foodstuffs and the Description of Aspergillus annui sp. nov. and Aspergillus saccharicola sp. nov. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:1279. [PMID: 36547612 PMCID: PMC9781283 DOI: 10.3390/jof8121279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus section Flavi is a fungal group that is important in food because it contains spoilage and potentially aflatoxigenic species. Aflatoxins are metabolites that are harmful to human and animal health and have been recognized as the primary natural contaminant in food. Therefore, recognizing the biodiversity of this group in food is necessary to reduce risks to public health. Our study aimed to investigate the diversity of Aspergillus section Flavi isolated from Brazilian foodstuffs such as cassava, sugarcane, black pepper, paprika, Brazil nuts, yerba-mate, peanuts, rice, and corn. A polyphasic approach integrating phenotypic data and multilocus genotypic analyses (CaM, BenA, and RPB2) was performed for 396 strains. Two new species in the Aspergillus subgenus Circumdati section Flavi are proposed using maximum-likelihood analysis, Bayesian inference, and coalescence-based methods: Aspergillus saccharicola sp. nov. and Aspergillus annui sp. nov. A. saccharicola sp. nov. belongs to the series Flavi, is a potentially aflatoxigenic species (B1, B2, G1, and G2), closely related to Aspergillus arachidicola, and was found mostly in sugarcane. A. annui sp. nov. was isolated from samples of sweet paprika. To accommodate A. annui sp. nov., a new series Annuorum was proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josué J. Silva
- Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos, Campinas 13070-178, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria H. P. Fungaro
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina 86057-970, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Xinhui Wang
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, DTU-Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas O. Larsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, DTU-Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jens C. Frisvad
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, DTU-Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Marta H. Taniwaki
- Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos, Campinas 13070-178, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Beatriz T. Iamanaka
- Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos, Campinas 13070-178, São Paulo, Brazil
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Seekles SJ, Punt M, Savelkoel N, Houbraken J, Wösten HAB, Ohm RA, Ram AFJ. Genome sequences of 24 Aspergillus niger sensu stricto strains to study strain diversity, heterokaryon compatibility, and sexual reproduction. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:jkac124. [PMID: 35608315 PMCID: PMC9258588 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Mating-type distribution within a phylogenetic tree, heterokaryon compatibility, and subsequent diploid formation were studied in 24 Aspergillus niger sensu stricto strains. The genomes of the 24 strains were sequenced and analyzed revealing an average of 6.1 ± 2.0 variants/kb between Aspergillus niger sensu stricto strains. The genome sequences were used together with available genome data to generate a phylogenetic tree revealing 3 distinct clades within Aspergillus niger sensu stricto. The phylogenetic tree revealed that both MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 mating types were present in each of the 3 clades. The phylogenetic differences were used to select for strains to analyze heterokaryon compatibility. Conidial color markers (fwnA and brnA) and auxotrophic markers (pyrG and nicB) were introduced via CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing in a selection of strains. Twenty-three parasexual crosses using 11 different strains were performed. Only a single parasexual cross between genetically highly similar strains resulted in a successful formation of heterokaryotic mycelium and subsequent diploid formation, indicating widespread heterokaryon incompatibility as well as multiple active heterokaryon incompatibility systems between Aspergillus niger sensu stricto strains. The 2 vegetatively compatible strains were of 2 different mating types and a stable diploid was isolated from this heterokaryon. Sclerotium formation was induced on agar media containing Triton X-100; however, the sclerotia remained sterile and no ascospores were observed. Nevertheless, this is the first report of a diploid Aspergillus niger sensu stricto strain with 2 different mating types, which offers the unique possibility to screen for conditions that might lead to ascospore formation in A. niger.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjoerd J Seekles
- TIFN, 6708 PW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Department Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2333 BE, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten Punt
- TIFN, 6708 PW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, 3584 CH, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Niki Savelkoel
- Department Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2333 BE, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jos Houbraken
- TIFN, 6708 PW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Applied & Industrial Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 3584 CT, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Han A B Wösten
- TIFN, 6708 PW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, 3584 CH, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Robin A Ohm
- TIFN, 6708 PW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, 3584 CH, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Arthur F J Ram
- TIFN, 6708 PW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Department Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2333 BE, Leiden, the Netherlands
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9
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Silva JJ, Fungaro MHP, Soto TS, Taniwaki MH, Iamanaka BT. Low-cost, specific PCR assays to identify the main aflatoxigenic species of Aspergillus section Flavi. METHODS IN MICROBIOLOGY 2022; 196:106470. [PMID: 35447279 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2022.106470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Aflatoxins are fungal metabolites that are present as contaminants in food globally. Most aflatoxigenic species belong to Aspergillus section Flavi, and the main ones are grouped in the A. flavus clade, where many cryptic species that are difficult to discriminate are found. In this study, we investigated inter- and intraspecific diversity of the A. flavus clade to develop low-cost, species-specific PCR assays for identifying aflatoxigenic species. A total of 269 sequences of the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) locus were retrieved from GenBank, and primer pairs were designed using data mining to identify A. flavus, A. parasiticus, and A. novoparasiticus. Species-specific amplicons of approximately 620, 350, and 860 bp enabled identification of target species as A. flavus, A. parasiticus, and A. novoparasiticus, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josué J Silva
- Institute of Food Technology - ITAL, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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New Species of Aspergillus (Aspergillaceae) from Tropical Islands of China. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8030225. [PMID: 35330227 PMCID: PMC8954917 DOI: 10.3390/jof8030225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus species are cosmopolitan and ubiquitous, closely related to human daily life. They are also of food, industrial and medical importance. From the examination of cultures isolated from soil samples collected on tropical islands of China, four new species of the genus were discovered based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons. Aspergillus xishaensis sp. nov. and A. neoterreus sp. nov. belong to sections Flavipedes and Terrei of subgenus Circumdati, and A. hainanicus sp. nov. and A. qilianyuensis sp. nov. are in sections Cavernicolarum and Nidulantes of subgenus Nidulantes. To accommodate A. hainanicus, a new series Hainanici was proposed. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the new taxa were provided.
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Khuna S, Suwannarach N, Kumla J, Frisvad JC, Matsui K, Nuangmek W, Lumyong S. Growth Enhancement of Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana) and Onion ( Allium cepa) With Inoculation of Three Newly Identified Mineral-Solubilizing Fungi in the Genus Aspergillus Section Nigri. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:705896. [PMID: 34456888 PMCID: PMC8397495 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.705896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some soil fungi play an important role in supplying elements to plants by the solubilizing of insoluble minerals in the soil. The present study was conducted to isolate the mineral-solubilizing fungi from rhizosphere soil in some agricultural areas in northern Thailand. Seven fungal strains were obtained and identified using a polyphasic taxonomic approach with multilocus phylogenetic and phenotypic (morphology and extrolite profile) analyses. All obtained fungal strains were newly identified in the genus Aspergillus section Nigri, Aspergillus chiangmaiensis (SDBR-CMUI4 and SDBR-CMU15), Aspergillus pseudopiperis (SDBR-CMUI1 and SDBR-CMUI7), and Aspergillus pseudotubingensis (SDBR-CMUO2, SDBR-CMUO8, and SDBR-CMU20). All fungal strains were able to solubilize the insoluble mineral form of calcium, copper, cobalt, iron, manganese, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, feldspar, and kaolin in the agar plate assay. Consequently, the highest phosphate solubilization strains (SDBR-CMUI1, SDBR-CMUI4, and SDBR-CMUO2) of each fungal species were selected for evaluation of their plant growth enhancement ability on Arabidopsis and onion in laboratory and greenhouse experiments, respectively. Plant disease symptoms were not found in any treatment of fungal inoculation and control. All selected fungal strains significantly increased the leaf number, leaf length, dried biomass of shoot and root, chlorophyll content, and cellular inorganic phosphate content in both Arabidopsis and onion plants under supplementation with insoluble mineral phosphate. Additionally, the inoculation of selected fungal strains also improved the yield and quercetin content of onion bulb. Thus, the selected strains reveal the potential in plant growth promotion agents that can be applied as a biofertilizer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surapong Khuna
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Nakarin Suwannarach
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Jaturong Kumla
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Jens Christian Frisvad
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, DTU-Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kenji Matsui
- Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Wipornpan Nuangmek
- Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
| | - Saisamorn Lumyong
- Research Center of Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.,Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand
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